Arsenal match thread

[DannyMan2006]

I'm not getting these positive comments about Plessis... I thought he did next to nothing in the game.
He's a bit too laid back imo, he's a good size of a lad and should really impose himself on the field alot more.

You don't have to watch a player to see hwo well he is doing, just watch the game. The fact that the game was end to end for the most part proves that Jay and Plessis matched up well to the three CM for Arsenal. They were two against three you have to remember and did quite well.

If we had played a CM off N'Gog I would reckon we would have looked much better last night. Voronin played well in spells going forward, but offered no assistance to Spearing and Plessis in midfield.

It's always tough in midfield when you are out numbered. The game winner for Arsenal was Bendtner on the right wing for them. He constantly cut in once the midfield had been won and acted as a second striker, meaning Eduardo never got isolated and meaning they did not need to sacrifice one of the three CM controlling the game.

[DannyMan2006]

Have to say that other than the result I was delighted with last night. I didn't expect anywhere near that level of performance from a team severly lacking in match practise.

I went into last nights game hoping that some of our reserve players could show they could step in and do a job, and I think some of them did enough to suggest they could.

Prior to the Lyon game I was very worried about how we would cope without Glen Johnson. But after the performances of Kelly v Lyon and Degen v Arsenal am happy to say that both look capable of stepping in and doing a job. Obviously Johnson would be missed, but so would any first teamer. Point being that prior to Lyon I thought we needed to sign a RB, now I do not.

Cavalieri did an absoloute clanger at the corner, but other than that I thought he played well. Good distribution and very quick off his line to snuff out some very dangerous situations. Looks as good as can be expected of a number two, no worse than Foster at Man Utd and Mannone at Arsenal for example.

I think Insua had a decent game and finally showed what I knew was in his locker with the goal. Anone who watched him in the reserves will know he has superb technique and looks like a LW at times. He will only get better in the first team and hopefully the assured performance last night will help him get back on his feet after a tough past few weeks.

Kyrgiakos and Skrtel on the whole did very well. I would say both excel when the ball is in the air but were taken to a side of the game that is likely their weakness as Arsenal for the most part kept the ball on the deck. They were exposed a couple of times, with the only real clanger coming from Martin. He got caught square on for the Bendtner goal in a similar way in which James Tompkins got exposed by Torres. Problem is, Tompkins is an inexperienced kid who got done by the best striker in world football. Skrtel should be doing much better and in effect, cost us the tie. He needs to come through this bad form, but as I've said previously, he had a great game against Chelsea so it's not like he's totally fell apart.

Plessis and Spearing. Well we all know they are not the worlds greatest pair of midfielders, but I thought they both played well in spells. More than matched Arsenal in the first half and I think the end to end fashion showed they were not dominated by the Arsenal side, lost there way slightly in the second half but regained their composure and went at it again. Biggest problem with Jay at present is his pass selection, he would try and force the game at times when the easier pass was the better option, but at the higher level the game is faster and you get less time to make up your mind. A spell on loan would improve this aspect of his game. But it has to be remembered that he has not been playing games this term. He's been left out the reserve sides due to being involved in the match day squads so his appearances have been very limited.

Babel and Kuyt. Babel needs to remember that he can not take every single player on all the time and needs to look for the pass earlier. Sometimes he would look to beat a man when there was no need and would just end up over playing it. It was once again clea that he has talent and once again clear that he doesn't like using his left foot. If he is ever to become a top player (not just premiership class, but the next level up) he needs to improve his left foot. He'd have had a tap in last night with his left foot (ball across goal) and plenty of times had the option of passing and shooting with it. His game is to easy to read at present. Kuyt was lacking in the final third, but was excellent in the other two thirds of the pitch. You could say it was close to being a typical Dirk Kuyt performance. I think the introduction of attacking RB has really suited Kuyts game. He was excellent at covering for the very mobile Degen and assisting our two young DMs. Kuyt comes into his own in the final third when he is played in close to goal or when he is able to interchange with the main forward and take defenders with him, I don't think the team made full use of Kuyt in that respect.

Voronin. Infuriating is what I will say about Voronin. Aspects of his game last night were fantastic. He took up great positions, kept the ball moving well and caused the back line of Arsenal problems all night. In fact so good was he in spells, that you take away his pathetic back heel that led to the Arsenal first goal, and improve his shooting up a notch, and I'd be talking about a MOTM display from Andriy. Instead I'm just tearing my hair out. Liverpool needed a finisher last night and Voronin is clearly never going to be that player. I would say that in a match day situation he could come on and cause problems against a packed defence, but I wouldn't want him being the one on the end of the chances.

N'Gog. Had a tough game, didn't get any kind of service that would allow him to cause Arsenal problems. But on the whole I think he played quite well. Held the ball up quite well at times and had a couple of dangerous runs that created chances for others to expose Arsenal.

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I think overall it was a pleasing night. I think the substitutions turned the game massively in our favour, Aquilani got the team moving again as did Yossi, whilst the loss of Bendtner hurt Arsenal. Had we got the equalizer we deserved, I am positive we would have ended up winning that game. Arsenal ran out of legs and ideas towards the last 15 minutes or so.

A much better performance all round that I expected.

[Marky]

I'm not getting these positive comments about Plessis... I thought he did next to nothing in the game.
He's a bit too laid back imo, he's a good size of a lad and should really impose himself on the field alot more.

[DannyMan2006]

I thought from the team we put out, Arsenal kids should have been no problem.
It showed the lack of quality within the squad. Maybe I'm being too pessimistic, there was some good points, Insua's goal was fantastic - but his pace worries me, Ngog/Plessis/Degen/Kuyt all played well, the rest some can be squad plyers but there are some obvious players that are not good enough to wear the red shirt - Voronin/Babel/Spearing.
Of course it was good to finally see Aquilani and I really hope he is the hero we need.

Roll on Fulham and lets get the first team out, score goals and get that much needed confidence up before playing Lyon.

It was our back up team v Arsenals back up team, and it was an even game IMO. The only thing that tipped it in their favour was the tie being at the Emirates and the fact that Bendtner had a very good game for them, he cocked up some of his chances but he showed his experienece and class.

[sssiho]

I thought from the team we put out, Arsenal kids should have been no problem.
It showed the lack of quality within the squad. Maybe I'm being too pessimistic, there was some good points, Insua's goal was fantastic - but his pace worries me, Ngog/Plessis/Degen/Kuyt all played well, the rest some can be squad plyers but there are some obvious players that are not good enough to wear the red shirt - Voronin/Babel/Spearing.
Of course it was good to finally see Aquilani and I really hope he is the hero we need.

Roll on Fulham and lets get the first team out, score goals and get that much needed confidence up before playing Lyon.

[MrMichael]

Degen reminded me a little of Heggem (no rhyming intended). Thought we looked a little lost in midfield though but was impressed with Ngog. Maybe THAT goal has giving him more belief.

Not a bad comparison actually

[Tee]

I thought we were unlucky to lose the game. Arsenal did play some wonderful football but to our credit we more than matched them throughout IMO, and on another day we could and probably should have score 2 or 3 goals given the clear chances we created.

Was impressed with the whole team, in particular Ngog playing with confidence is a totally different player. Degen showed what he could offer us as an attacking threat but again looked suspect defending IMO. Voronin was very good also and I think Rafa can take a lot of positives from this game.

Aquilani just looked a class apart when he came on and I just cannot wait to see him again.

I am disappointed we lost because I really wanted us to return to Wembley this season. Looks like it will have to be via the FA Cup now.

[nbryan1764]

Degen reminded me a little of Heggem (no rhyming intended). Thought we looked a little lost in midfield though but was impressed with Ngog. Maybe THAT goal has giving him more belief.

[Parr_Zee]

My observations:

- Degen looked very good in attack and could really contribute to our attacking play against team who put 10 men behind the ball
- Voronin was very good in the 2nd half. Poor in the 1st half though.
- Bar a handfull of occasions, Babel gave the ball away everytime he had it
- Great debut by Aquilani - can you imagine if that over-head kick had gone in? I thought it was on its was too.

[SB]

i can see where you coming from.
he has game intelligence but then again he doesn't stop playing one-twos when those around don't seem to catch up. therefore we end up losing the ball in good positions.

That's exactly the sort of play needed to break down packed defences. It's hardly his fault that the players around him last night aren't up to it.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying he's the mesiah, but I think he gets a lot of stick that's unwarranted

[Scratch]

Well, it's a weird thread this one...from my point of view, i really enjoyed the game tonight...fast paced, end to end stuff, with some pretty slick passing from both sides, and plenty of positives to draw on (along with a couple of negatives).

Don't really think any player stood out as poor tonight, apart from Skrtel...what's happening there...hope it's just a blip...and a couple of poor passes by Voronin and the midfield duo...and someone please stop Spearing from shooting!!

But as a football spectacle, i enjoyed that match...played in a great spirit...as someone else said, a face paced friendly.

[dww]

Plessis was quite assured but his passing is really not up to much, and Spearing was just ok, but the gulf in class between those 2 and the likes of Merida and Ramsey was pretty obvious. I'd love to say otherwise but in all honesty I don't think either of them will ever be in genuine first team contention

I have to say I think the comparison is slightly unfair. They aren't really the same type of players. I'd expect the sort of player Plessis is in particular to need more maturing. Spearing I'm not quite sure what his point is - until that gets decided by him/Rafa/whoever I think it is premature to judge but you are right - at the minute it is hard to see him step up. Ramsey looks to have gained a lot from having had some match experience with Cardiff. I do worry that it is hard for some of our players without that to kick on.

I thought that in general Plessis passed it quickly which is important for a player in his position. I'm not sure that he needs to be Alonso. The pairing looked a bit unbalanced - particularly with Babel on one wing offering such an inconsistent outlet.

It was an enjoyable game but I don't think any of the young players (on either side) really made me think they were ready to take to take the PL by storm. In general the Arsenal players were neat but aimless, we looked indecisive until the second half and not tough enough for players who were not as creative as their Arsenal counterparts.

[MrMichael]

Yeah, I don't get the criticism of Kuyt tonight, i thought he worked very hard in what was totally a midfield role, hit a few nice passes and got really stuck in. I much prefer him playing in a more advanced position but considering the paucity of experience (Ngog, Plessis, Spearing) and quality (Voronin, Babel) around him he took on a leadership role in the midfield and did it pretty well.

Voronin runs around a lot but he gave the ball away far too often and never looked like a goal threat. Babel just has no footballing brain whatsoever, which wouldn't be a problem if he wasn't a footballer. But he is. He makes the wrong decision almost every time and was shepherded really well by Arsenal's full back.

Degen was fun, looked like he might actually be a half decent attacking full back on that display. Ngog I like generally, he's got a lot of developping to do still though.

Plessis was quite assured but his passing is really not up to much, and Spearing was just ok, but the gulf in class between those 2 and the likes of Merida and Ramsey was pretty obvious. I'd love to say otherwise but in all honesty I don't think either of them will ever be in genuine first team contention

[Baracus]

Spearing will probably be flogged if not this summer, the next.

More Saudi bashing

[dww]

Dirk Kuyt has, once again, been pants.

Thought he was really good myself.

Ngog looked excellent for the first 55 minutes. Real promise and confidence seemed seemed to give him a bit more strength in the game. I think he is a genuinely promising player.

Spearing an anonymous and quite poor first half but perked up second and played a lot of neat quick balls. needs to work on his positioning and he is slower than he looks (if that makes any sense).

Skrtel needs to be more decisive. I guess it is a confidence thing. Overall though I thought he and Kyriakos handled the pace of Arsenal well enough.

Plessis looked assured and calm.

Degen was quite fun in attack. Needed help in defence but looked the sort who could step up if given a few games to get fit.

Babel was wasteful - again glimpses of why people think he could, secretly, be a football player but no fulfilment of that promise.

Voronin despite a few really good moments lost the ball too much. He might be better with a run of games but he inspires no confidence and somehow manages to always make mistakes that seem costly. I have the impression that if he was playing for Bolton someone on here would be campaigning for him as a cut price backup for Torres and Kuyt.